Hail Caesar

"Rise of the Planet of the Apes"

Shortly after the all the accolades Avatar received for its visual effects, 20th Century Fox made the announcement that they were going to do yet another reboot of their franchise Planet of the Apes.  Ten years ago Tim Burton did a remake of the first film from 1968.  This was not going to be another remake but instead a prequel.  And the apes were not going to be costumed actors under hours of makeup applications.  No, this time all the primates were to be "photo realistic" using motion capture technology.  

What better actor to play the lead ape Caesar than Andy Serkis.  For those unfamiliar with that name, Mr. Serkis has been in such blockbusters like The Lord of the Rings Trilogy and King Kong.  His performances are prevalent throughout each film but without us ever actually seeing him.  He played Gollum and King Kong.  Serkis' facial expressions and body movements are captured from a suite he wears on set and then are fed into a computer where animators can flesh out whatever character he is performing over a wire frame.  Even though we don't see Serkis' face, everything that the character is doing is done by him.

Rise of the Planet of the Apes is the perfect vehicle for Serkis because it plays to all his strengths.  Like the two previously mentioned films, we again fall under the captivating spell of becoming emotionally invested in the characters he creates.  Caesar is more than just your average chimpanzee.  Before she was killed in a lab accident, his mother Bright Eyes (Terry Notary) was the subject of an experiment led by research scientist Will Rodman (James Franco.)  What Will was attempting to study was the effects of a serum he developed that is supposed to repair damaged brain cells, ultimately leading to a cure for Alzheimer's disease.

Now orphaned from his mother, Caesar is taken home by Will and raised in a home environment where his father (John Lithgow,) who is suffering from Alzheimer's also resides.  Something unexpected that Caesar inherited from Bright Eyes was the effects of the serum.  Caesar shows remarkable increased brain stimulation from the drug.  The older Caesar gets the smarter he becomes.  Despite his intelligence the fact still remains, he is a wild animal and yearns to be outside amongst the trees.  After some unfortunate residential mishaps Caesar is put in a facility where he is around other (lesser intelligent) apes.  Caesar realizes he can longer live his life behind bars and devises a plan where he and his fellow ape brethren will rise above the lesser evolved humans and start a revolution.

On paper this film sounds absurd and almost laughable.  Also, considering something similar to this film had already been done once before is a further turnoff.   Rise of the Planet of the Apes contradicts these beliefs and comes off as a gripping, enthralling, smartly written piece of entertainment.  The screenplay upholds a level of originality and aptness that is absent from so many other films released over the summer.  We know where the plot is heading but the ride that takes us there is still a good one.  The center piece of the film is the apes running amuck through the streets of San Francisco which is simply spectacular to watch.  Director Rupert Wyatt does a fine job of keeping us entertained by building on events that lead up to this eventual payoff. 

Serkis and the other mocap actors portraying the apes should be commended for their efforts.  Visual effects company Weta Digital has left each of their performances intact.  We can see each actor’s performance shining through the layers of animation.  The actors are able to convey emotions that strike a chord in a way that is only possible through the aid of motion capture technology.  We feel bad for Caesar not because he's an animal locked in a cage but because Serkis is able to put forth feeling and believability into everything that is captured on screen.  And that is real question here:  are these apes real enough for us?   

Rise of the Planet of the Apes is a pleasant surprise.  All the pieces somehow seem to fall in the right places.  The film knows what it is and doesn't try to be anything bigger than that.  It does acknowledge some points that are seen in its successor.  There are however some gaps (probably intentional) that are in need of further explanation.  At least one more film has to come out; a sequel actually worth waiting for.  Rise of the Planet of the Apes delivers on a number of levels that makes this film live up to its name.  By the end of the film you too will want to rise with Caesar.